4 arrested, 42 pounds of meth powder seized | News

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CANTON, Ga. – Authorities seized 42 pounds of methamphetamine base powder and arrested several people accusing of dealing drugs in north Georgia.

According to Lt. Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began Jan. 26 Bartow County Sheriff’s Office agents arrested an Emerson woman who had a trafficking amount of methamphetamine.

Authorities said they were able to identify a group who were selling and importing drugs into north Georgia. Agents said they followed one of the suspects, 43-year-old Alberto Gabriel, of Woodstock, to Houston, Texas where they believed he received a shipment of meth.

When Gabriel returned to Woodstock on Feb. 14, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) Agents, along with Woodstock Police, seized 42 pounds of methamphetamine base powder which was concealed in three large fire extinguisher tanks. Agents believed the powder was headed for a conversion lab somewhere in the metro Atlanta area, where it was to be turned into crystal meth.

Gabriel was arrested and charged with drug trafficking.

Three other people from the alleged drug trafficking organization were also arrested after being accused of selling meth.

Jorge Soberanis, 45 years old of Woodstock, was charged with three counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine. Angel Martinez, 24 years old of Woodstock, was charged with one count of Trafficking Methamphetamine. Alex Penaloza, 26 years old of Woodstock, was charged with one count of Violation of Probation.